Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Holiday Harping

V.I.P. (Very Important Picture)
Harp-Myself. Flute-Julie Thorne. Piano-Kathy Modin

Julie and I have played harp/flute at nursing homes and churches for the Christmas Holidays since 2002, Kathy joined us in 2007. Our rehearsals are way too much fun and our performing experiences divine. Harp-Abilities should not be a lone pursuit!

I look forward to photos and details of our future gatherings, but this post is a touch of the past.

Some of the places we have shared music at in Duluth area are:
Glensheen Mansion
Benedictine Health Center
Lakeshore
Edgewood Vista
Hope Methodist Church
Grace Baptist Church
CHOICE, unlimited
Polinsky Rehabilitation

At one nursing home, a younger gentleman with limited mobility kept crying out - A harp! A harp! When the harp was passed from person to person, and then it finally reached him to touch he was illuminated and full of joy - then he kept saying I played the harp!

At another home, we played at their church service and an older gentleman was in deep conversation with Julie quite a bit before the service. I thought, well - she's blond and pretty and he's quite taken. But he left and I wondered Hmmmm? Doesn't like harp and flute? But back he came just in time for the start of the service - with his tuba! Although the minister tried to control the situation saying other music can be played AFTER the service, our tuba friend was moved by the music and joined in - with amazing musicality! It was obvious he had a classical background. So we had a wonderful service of Harp-Abilities, Flute-Abilities AND Tuba-Abilities!

Holidays can be difficult for you if you are in care and your loved ones and families want that glimmer of joy brought back to your eyes and hope for recovery. I went to a hospital rehab center with my harp to play for a close friend who had a close call health-wise, several other patients joined in. Holiday Harp music provides not only distraction, but also soothing tones and rhythms of a better time in their lives. Many are moved just by the sight of a harp, but those who also touch it respond with such joy. My friend has recovered, I wonder of the others - always.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

P.E.O. with Georganne Hunter


P.E.O. is a significant guiding strength in my life and I was delighted that Georganne Hunter, who was my guide and teacher with the harp, joined me in presenting a Harp-Abilities program to my Chapter DD in Duluth. Georganne brought her 36 string lever floor harp (Kortier harp) and played and talked of the different modes and moods that can be obtained by the harp. I brought my 24 string lever Eden therapy harp, Synchronicity, and lap zither for my P.E.O. sisters to try their Harp-Abilities. Fear of “not being musical” went away with their first pluck of the strings and realizing that music is within, not just something on paper in difficult notation or under the direction of the conductor.

P.E.O. is a Philanthropic Educational Organization of women who devote their time and energy to education for women and support of each other. More information at: http://www.peointernational.org

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Harping with AAAWD


A great Debut for the newly formed AAAWD and CHOICE, unlimited BOLD Theater's newest Acts! I am proud to be on the Board of CHOICE and a member of AAAWD!

AAAWD's multi-media debut at the Play Ground!



Friday & Saturday, November 21-22, 2008
"An AAAWD Evening"
The Play Ground
Technology Village (main level)
11 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN
6:30 pm | Artists' Reception featuring Harpist, Christina Cotruvo
7:30 pm | Part I: AAAWD Little Films
8:30 pm | Part II: CHOICE Dancers & BOLD-Choice Theater Company
Tickets $5 (general admission at the door)
Box Office: 218-733-7555

"An AAAWD Evening" will open at 6:30 p.m. with a reception in the lobby gallery where AAAWD’s 2D and 3D artwork will be on display. Complimentary refreshments will be served and artwork will be for sale. The reception will also include live music by harpist, Christina Cotruvo. Performances in the theater begin at 7:30 p.m. with “Part I: AAAWD Little Films” featuring short animation and adventure films by Ben Giesen, Todd Reed and Bridget Riversmith. Members of CHOICE, unlimited’s dance program will open “Part II: AAAWD Twists and Turns,” followed by BOLD-Choice Theater Company performing selected scenes from their latest production, Romeo and Juliet’s Tragic Comedy. Question and answer sessions will close each part, and the ‘Evening will conclude at 9:30 p.m. Tickets for this all-ages event are $5 (general admission at the door). Front row wheelchair-accessible seating and ASL interpreters will be available each night of the event.

According to AAAWD co-founder, Bridget Riversmith, “‘An AAAWD Evening’ is about expanding notions of ability and normality by adding our own definitions and experience to the equation through art. Our acronym sounds like “odd” and “awed” – words that echo what it’s like being an artist with a disability in America. The trajectory of our group is from odd to awed via artwork, humor, friendship and open minds.”

Arrowhead Alliance of Artists With Disabilities (AAAWD)
:

The underlying inspiration for AAAWD (and their logo) is the stone soup fable wherein a few stones placed in a pot of boiling water become both pretext and catalyst for creating something from nothing, and revealing nothing to be something after all.

AAAWD began in 2006 with a series of VSA arts of Minnesota-sponsored meetings which brought together individual artists and arts organizations from around the state to discuss forming artists with disabilities collectives in Greater Minnesota. In 2007, local artists with disabilities were invited by VSA and the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council to several meetings in Duluth to lay the foundation for a new collective. In early 2008, VSA arts provided grant money to help fund our group projects and outreach activities.

The current core membership includes these visual artists, actors, directors, musicians and filmmakers: Pete B., Christina Cotruvo, Ben Giesen, David Hoffman, Ryan Iallonardo, Julie Jeatran, Cecilia Lieder, Bill Lyth, Roald Molberg (co-founder), Karl Mulligan, Sarah Nord, Justin Powers, Todd Reed, Bridget Riversmith (co-founder) and Annie Roseen.

Santa Barbara AHS




The Santa Barbara Chapter of American Harp Society created the program Joy of Harps at the Santa Barbara Braille Institute. Harriet found me on the Internet and asked if I could help teach my methods on how to teach harp to the visually impaired. What a talented and devoted group! They experienced the challenge of tuning harps while blind-folded and learned my method for teaching melody and accompaniment to students with diminished or no vision. They developed insight and inspiration, as well as practical techniques for their continuing Joy of Harps classes in at the Braille Institute.

Read more of Harriet and their inspiration at their Blog.


No-C-Notes Workshop, with Christina Cotruvo, April 29, 2006
(L-R from back row) Lynette Johnson, Christina Cotruvo, Laurie Rasmussen, Suzy Rowe, Leah Young, Anna Campbell, Patricia Rushton, Marion Smith, Jocelyn Rainey-Reif, Harriet Marx, Jeanne Martin

Summer Institute for College Bound Blind Musicians June 2005






This was the start of my Harp-Abilities, a week long music camp for young blind musicians who met, shared and communicated with the harps.

David Goldstein is Director of the National Resource Center for Blind Musicians, at the Overbrook School in Philadelphia. John Lozier is the director of Harping for Harmony, who loaned 3 harps for my workshop. Rees Harps also lent a Harpsicle and I brought a lap zither. Here are parts of David's letter to John:

“I would like to extend my grateful appreciation for the loan of your harps to our Summer Braille Music Institute. I also want to say how truly wonderful it was that the students had this experience. Christina was just the right person, a very fine ambassador for Harping For Harmony.
The purpose of the Institute is to help young people who are blind learn the skills and strategies to study music at the conservatory level. Emphasis is on the braille music code and technology that allows them to independently produce written theory assignments. It is quite intensive. The harps, simple enough for anyone to get something good-sounding out of -- and to be hugged back by -- provided a haven and a respite, not to mention exposure to instruments many had not had an opportunity to experience first-hand.
Christina has described how the harps moved into the dorm and shared our couches. Just as it's the students who make a program, so too do the instruments. Your harps, and the hands and hearts behind making and distributing them, added their special harmony. They are part of the memories the students have to take back with them as they continue making the most of opportunities in their busy and exciting lives.”

Monday, May 4, 2009

What is Harp-Abilities?

Harp-Abilities bring the joy of harp for those with challenges. Accessible and inspiring for expression, communication and relaxation. Harp-Abilities began with No-C-Notes audio music reading for the blind to touch the harp and be touched by it. It has expanded to Health care organizations, nursing and assisted living homes, schools and community service programs. Celtic harp music for those with various challenging physical abilities now discover their Harp-Abilities.

I invite you to share my journey with my lap harps "Synchronicity" and "Harmony" and I and all the people who have the chance in discovering their Harp-Abilities. My goal is to achieve Millennium Harper of Harp-Abilities in Duluth.